I cannot believe that I waited so long to visit Island Grown Initiative’s Mobile Market! Truly, I have been missing out! The worst thing is that it’s so close to my house, only a couple of blocks away when it comes to the Oak Bluffs Library on Tuesday evenings.
Last Tuesday, the kiddos grabbed their scooters and off we went. They wanted to get books for the library’s Summer reading program, and I wanted to check out the Mobile Market.
I have to admit that I was not expecting much. However, boy was I surprised. First of all, the Mobile Market is super cool – literally a mobile farm stand bursting with beautiful Island produce. Second, there was quite the crowd there. It is really popular, and for good reason.
Astrid was manning the mobile market, full of smiles, and ready to answer questions about the produce available. So many greens to choose from, beautiful heirloom tomatoes, farm eggs, cucumbers, and get this, Farm Hub hydroponic strawberries (only $5.00 a point). There was honey and herbs, so much to choose from. If I did not have a garden at home bursting with yummy veggies, I would have bought a ton!
After perusing for a bit, I opted for honey (though not from MV, but from a farm in MA and it was only $4!), of course strawberries, and a container of cherry tomatoes – which were gone, completely eaten by me and my daughter before we left the building, because they were so delicious, like little juicy candies.
It was all super affordable! The gentleman who checked out before me bought two beautiful heads of lettuce and a bunch of tomatoes for $8. Incredible, seriously gorgeous farm fresh goodies.
The Mobile Market is an incredible way for people to access the bounty of Island farms without the commute. How I have not been at the one in my neighborhood every week is crazy. I have learned the errors of my ways. The Mobile Market is now a part of the Cramer family weekly commitments.
If you have not been, go! And go early because they can sell out. The Mobile Market continues to grow in popularity at its stops. Know that you’ll be coming home with some great, healthy foods to enjoy, and don’t forget to bring your own bag.
How the Mobile Market Came on To Be
I spoke with Island Grown’s Development Director, Emily Armstrong about how this great farm to truck to you endeavor got started. She said “Two years ago we brought together 20 different island organizations dealing with food insecurity and hunger on the island to do a needs assessment and figure out a way to collaboratively provide solutions to these issues in our community. This was the foundation for the MV Food Equity Network. Based on the community needs identified by the Network, we’ve launched the Community Lunch program and Mobile Market, as well as increasing our overall focus on food equity initiatives on the island.
Many members of our island community don’t have access to local produce. It’s expensive, and they don’t have time, or in some cases access to a vehicle, to drive around to island farm stands or get to the farmer’s market. To solve this issue, we brought the market to them. It’s stocked with affordable produce, and we’re registered to take SNAP, WIC, and Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Coupons. We received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources in 2017 to launch this market, and we’re currently in our second year. It operates June through October”.
The stops for the 2018 season are:
Monday – Morgan Woods (Edgartown) 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Oak Bluffs Library 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.* This is the one I attended.
Wednesday – Woodside Village 3:30 p.m. to 4:30pm & Hillside Village 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday – St. Augustines Church (Vineyard Haven) 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday – Wampanoag Tribe 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Mobile Market is such a creative, mobile way to make farm fresh food easy and affordable for people. Island Grown Initiative keeps coming up with the best things on the Island.
You can also learn more about Island Grown Initiative and the Mobile Market on Facebook. Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Google+, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram.